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June/July 2012 www.esb.ie/em
ESB Networks Ltd
National Smart Electricity Conference
ESB Networks
page 23
ESB Telecoms continues to expand Tower Infrastructure
ESB TELECOMS (ESBT) operates and manages in excess of 400 telecommunications structures located throughout the country on strategic hilltops and adjacent to ESB sites. ESB critical SCADA and Polling Radio services are housed on these structures. In addition, vital communication installations for all major telecommunications companies providing mobile phone, broadband and emergency services are accommodated on these telecommunications structures.
ESBT recently constructed a new tower at Ardnacrusha Generating Station which has now been commissioned. This will further extend ESBT’s infrastructure and enhance network coverage in the area.
ESBT customer equipment had been located on the main building in Ardnacrusha. It was agreed with Generation Operations that it would be more beneficial to both parties if ESBT developed its own telecom site which would be separate from station operations with independent 24/7 access.
Having confirmed suitability of the site and received planning permission for a 36m Concrete Birdcage, Killarney Telecoms Ltd was appointed as main contractors. Soil investigation works commenced to establish the type of foundation required. Foundation works took place over a number of weeks and the completed foundation comprises of a metal cage encased in concrete, this is to ensure maximum tower stability.
The concrete monopole was delivered to site in three sections from Germany by Europoles Gmbh. The sections were assembled on site and include a number of equipment platforms, which allows maximum flexibility for customer’s requirements. These platforms are accessed by a ladder system which incorporates a fall-arrest devise and anti climb gate. This facilitates safety for any riggers climbing the structure and also prevents unauthorised access.
The tower is now fully commissioned and ESBT’s customers presently located on the main building are in the process of relocating onto this new structure. ESBT now has twenty-two Birdcage type structures located throughout the country and they contribute significantly to ESBT’s dominant position as Irelands leading independent telecommunications infrastructure provider.
Oil Storage, Handling and Transportation Improvement Programme
THE Environmental Management Team in ESB Networks has been proactively engaging with the Business Lines (i.e. HV Delivery and Contracting, Distribution and Customer Services, Supply Chain and Fleet & Equipment), to assess existing environmental risks associated with oil and waste oil; storage handling and transportation, and to subsequently identify and implement necessary improvement measures to eliminate/minimise any associated environmental risk.
Mineral Insulating Oil is used in HV Station equipment such as power transformers, house transformers and switchgear, in overhead line equipment such as pole mounted transformers and switchgear, and in ground mounted substation equipment. It is estimated that in excess of 3 million litres of mineral oil is contained in the number of 38kV transformers operating on the HV networks alone.
Lubricating and hydraulic oils are used to service and maintain ESB Networks fleet of approximately 2,000 commercial vehicles nationwide.
In 2011, ESB Networks compliantly disposed of 252 tonnes of waste mineral insulating oil, and 29 tonnes of waste lubricating/hydraulic oil.
Programme
To begin with, a detailed risk assessment was prepared by Environmental Management and completed by each Business Line, in order to identify any high risk locations, inadequate infrastructure and operational controls issues. The primary focus was on:
- oil storage infrastructure inadequacies
- volumes of oil and waste oil being stored
- adjacent environmentally sensitive receptors
- transportation of oil
- leaking oil filled equipment
- spill response training requirements
- availability of adequate spill kits
Based on an evaluation of completed risk assessments, feedback from business lines and evidence from internal audits conducted as part of ESB Networks Environmental Management System, a specific plan of action was put in place. Key elements are as follows:
- After an appropriate tender process, framework contracts were put in place with relevant suppliers for the provision of oil storage tanks and associated accessories, spill kits and associated consumables, and mobile bunded bowsers for the complaint transportation of oil and waste oil from depots to HV and MV substations.
The necessary upgrade requirements in identified high risk areas are now being progressed, with work at Cavan, Portlaoise, Enniscorthy, and Tralee Depots due for completion in June 2012. Further work will be progressed through out 2012.
Three mobile bunded oil/waste oil bowsers have been ordered and these will be trialled in selected locations, the plan being to purchase further requirements based on successful trial results and identified business needs.
- Practical solutions were put in place for the containment of oil from leaking oil filled equipment, e.g bunded pallets, bunded shelters and single phase transformer oil containment bags.
- Spill-Response training has been delivered to approx 160 HV Station, Supply Chain and Fleet & Equipment staff, and has been incorporated into electrical apprentice induction and 38kv maintenance programmes. It is planned to further roll-out training in Q4 2012
For further information please contact Ciaran Walsh, Environmental Project Officer, Safety, Quality and Environment ESB Networks Ext: 31511, Mobile: 087 6856296.
